PeopleDifferent checks called for flight crew

Washington, USA

The security checks for flight crews are flawed, according to one of the leading carriers in the US. Current airport screening methods are described in a report as "inconsistent, cumbersome and operationally... more

PeopleGerman Bundestag says yes to air traffic treaty with Switzerland

Berlin, Germany - Now it's time for Bern to ratify the agreement

Last Friday the German lower house of Parliament, the Bundestag, gave its ok for the ratification of the treaty on air traffic movements over southern Germany skies for flights to and from Zurich. Now... more

PeopleSerious troubles for UK NATS

London, Great Britain

Difficulties in reading text on a computer screen of the NATS British air traffic control, led a controller to send a plane to Glasgow in Scotland instead of the Welsh capital, Cardiff Other errors include... more

PeopleMay 28th Nato summit: "air marshalls" on board airliners

Rome, Italy - Enac commanded "Notan"

In view of next May 28th Nato summit at Pratica di Mare (Rome), Enac, the Italian civil aviation administration, decided to command 'Notan' measure. "'Notan'", as explained by Enac director general Pierluigi... more

PeopleBush in Berlin

Berlin, Germany - Where he is going to start his European tour

Us president George W.Bush's Air Force One landed yesterday at the Berlin airport. After Germany, Bush will visit Russia, Italy and France as well. (m/cesn) more

PeopleNo firearms to pilots (3): European pilots prefer to avoid to carry firearms on board

Rome, Italy

According to several European pilots association spokesman, interviewed by AVIONEWS, their associates prefer to avoid to carry firearms on board, on the contrary of what requested by many of their U.S.... more

PeopleNo firearms to pilots (2): ALPA comments to Magaw diktat

Washington, USA

According to the statement of capt. Duane Woerth, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, ALPA, which represents 62,000 airline pilots at 42 airlines in the U.S. and Canada, the association is disappointed,... more

People"No firearms to pilots" ordered Magaw

Washington, USA

Despite the fact that handguns are the single most-effective means of self-defense commonly available; and despite the fact that the pilots' unions overwhelmingly support the idea that trained, qualified... more

PeopleTransportation Security Administration to look for new employees

Washington, Usa - 57.500 new workers will check Us air safety

The Us Transportation Security Administration (TSA), announced to be ready to employ 57.500 new workers, of whom, 30.000 employees will staff airport checkpoints and screen passengers, while the remaining... more

PeopleCanadian government swept away restrictions on international air market

Ottawa, Canada - "To encourage competition, innovation, and growth in the Canadian airline industry"

Canadian government decided to sweep way previous restrictions on international air travel market which said that only one Canadian carrier could operate in non-US markets, unless one-way scheduled passenger... more

PeopleDestination stock market for Orbitz

Chicago, Usa - The company is backed by five major US airlines

Orbitz has a new destination: the stock market. Orbitz, which says it is the third largest online travel site behind Travelocity and Expedia after less than a year on the web, filed with government regulators... more

PeopleUk: air traffic price rise rejected

London, Uk - Caa was not convinced to allow Nats to raise charges

The cash-strapped National air traffic services (Nats) has failed in its attempt to raise its charges to airlines. Nats applied to the Civil aviation authority (Caa) for an average increase of 5% per... more

PeopleTSA to quit the project to install emergency phones on board airliners

Washington, Usa - Too complicated

The Us Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is likely to quit the idea to install emergency phones on board airliners as it would be too complicated. "We are taking a different course of action.... more

PeopleMan arrested in USA with terrorism allegations

Tennessee, USA

A man carrying two bags and wearing an Air Force dress, has been arrested at airport of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where its baggage triggered the explosive detector. In the bags there was found no explosives,... more

PeopleFAA (2): No specific instructions in the warnings

Washington, USA

Five months before Sept. 11, the government warned airlines that Middle Eastern terrorists could try to hijack or blow up a U.S. plane and that carriers should "demonstrate a high degree of alertness."... more

PeopleFAA (3): Airport workers' access a concern

Washington, USA

While passengers and pilots pass through tightened airport security checkpoints, baggage handlers and other workers still bypass screeners and metal detectors with identification cards to open locked doors.... more

PeopleEmergency free telephones on board aircraft on the study

Washington, USA

A Transport Security Administration official has informed that a plan to introduce free emergency telephones on board US passenger aircraft is being studied by a commission. If technology allows, passengers... more

PeopleBritish Air Traffic Service plagued by problems

Great Britain

Following the computer failure of last Friday, the third this year, which brought chaos to air travelers and into the weekend, the UK partly privatized air traffic control service it is now facing financial... more

PeopleAer Lingus' pilots refuse recover plan

Dublin, Ireland

Pilots at Aer Lingus, Ireland's national airline, have rejected a rescue plan, in a decision which cast fresh doubt over the cash-strapped carrier's survival prospects. Aer Lingus was among Europe's... more

PeopleRosy prospects for Japanese air carriers

Tokyo, Japan - Forecast increase of 28% in passengers by 2007

Japanese Ministry of Transportation forecasts a 28% passenger increase by 2007 over 2000. International flight passengers might increase to 67 million by 2007 and domestic flight passengers to 107 million. The... more

PeopleNorthwest flight attendant vote for strike

USA

Flight attendants at US carrier Midwest Airlines have voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action if their two-year-old contact negotiations with the company are not settled. The airline's 465 flight... more

PeopleLarge hunt in USA for stolen airport uniforms

According to FBI sources, hundreds of agents are searching for airport workers uniforms which were stolen in Kansas City earlier this month. The FBI broke the news of the theft on Wednesday but has declared... more

PeopleOpen hunt in USA for stolen airport uniforms

According to FBI sources, hundreds of agents are searching for airport workers uniforms which were stolen in Kansas City earlier this month. The FBI broke the news of the theft on Wednesday but has declared... more

PeopleUs DOT instituted the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry

Washington, Usa - As mandated in the Aviation Investment and Reform Act

Us DOT, Department of Transportation, yesterday officially set up the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry. This new federal body will analyze both market... more

PeopleCharter flights from Sicily to Russia

Palermo, Italy - Three flights a month to Moscow

Three charter flights a month will join Palermo, Italy, to Moscow, Russia and seven ones will land to St Petersburg from July to December. Five thousand people are expected to fly both routes from May... more

PeopleNorway ready to open its domestic air market to European air carriers

Oslo, Norway - Local market is almost entirely in Sas' "wings"

Norwegian government invited all air carriers of the European Economic Area - established with the agreement among Eu, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - to make an offer for the exploitation of its domestic... more

PeopleMore aircraft in the Us air space starting from 2004

Washington, Usa - A FAA proposal

The Us Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), launched a proposal to implement the so called RVSM, Reduced Vertical Separation Minima, in other words the vertical distance aircraft have to keep whilst... more

PeopleFAA proposes vertical separation reduction

Washington, USA

According to a FAA proposal, the vertical separation between aircraft would halve, from 2000 feet to 1000 feet, in the flight levels comprised between FL290 (29,000 feet) and FL410 (41,000 feet). According... more

PeopleChina orders its commercial air fleet to be checked up

Beijing, China - After two crashes in one month

Chinese Civil Aviation administration decided to check up its commercial air fleet. This measure has been taken after Chinese air carriers suffered two crashes in less than a month. A China Northern... more

PeopleLufthansa City Center revenue increases by 7%

Rome, Italy - As a result of promotion agreements

Lufthansa City Center revenue increased by 7% in the first quarter 2002, compared to the same period of last year. This is likely to be the result of promotion agreements signed with several air carriers,... more

PeopleLa FAA confirmed Perù in Category 1

Washington, Usa - Because of the "significant" improvements in south American country civil aviation

FAA, the Us Federal Aviation Administration, confirmed Perù rating in Category 1. For FAA, Perù "continues to comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization", t... more

PeopleNigeria closes its airspaces to BAC1-11 planes

Kano, Nigeria

After the air crash occurred on Saturday at Kano, Nigeria's air authorities have suspended all BAC1-11 planes from its airspace. There are in the country nine of the British built twin jets, many of which... more

PeopleTalks for Lockerbie victims relatives compensations started at New York

New York, USA

According to lawyers of families of the victims of the Pan Am 103 bombing fourteen years ago, negotiations aimed at winning compensation for those families are due to start in New York today. The families... more

PeopleEuropean airlines: traffic dip in March 2002

Brussels, Belgium - -8% in comparison with last year

European airlines posted another gloomy result in March, as in fact, in comparison with the same month of last year, they registered a 8% dip in traffic. On trans Atlantic routes traffic fell of a 15,4%... more

PeopleFBI was informed that Arabs were attending flight courses

Washington, USA

Two months before the Sept. 11 attacks, FBI was informed that some Arabs were attending flight courses in a pilot's school in Arizona, a federal source revealed today. An official request of an inquiry... more

PeopleProposed a law to arm pilots

Washington, USA

The idea of handguns as a "last line of defence" is supported by the Air Line Pilots Association (Alpa), the biggest pilot's union, which claims that nearly three-quarters of its 62,000 members are in... more

PeopleChinese carriers will buy 70 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing

Washington, Usa

Chinese airlines are expected to buy 70 passenger jetliners from both Airbus and Boeing later this year, according to independent agencies report. A separate order for 25 narrow-body Airbus aircraft... more

PeopleUS Airways flight back for "suspects" on board

New York, USA

Due to the presence on board of some "strange", Middle East appearance passengers, a US Airways flight is back to the departure airport were the "suspects" have been disembarked and all aircraft well inspected.... more

PeopleThai Airways pilots threat strike

Bangkok, Thailand

Thai Airways pilots threatened to walk out in a row over management changes. Reports from Bangkok say around 120 of its pilots may be involved in strike action. They are demanding the removal of the company's chairman. In... more

PeopleTaiwan: direct links with China to establish

Taipei, Taiwan - The opposition's proposal

Forty opposition members of Taiwanese Parliament signed a motion to repeal the law which prevents from establishing direct air and sea links with China. At present all fights or sea routes to Popular... more

PeopleIran must pay for a 1985 plane hijacking

Virginia Beach, Usa - Symbolic victory for 6 military men

A federal judge has returned a USD 307m judgment against Iran in a suit filed by six military men held hostage during a 1985 plane hijacking. While Us District Judge did not say how the plaintiffs would... more

PeopleFederal Aviation Administration against Boeing

Washington, Usa - TheSeattle-based industry could face a USD 754.000 civil fine

In relation to violations in B-747, B-757, B-767 and B-777 flight-desk dripshields, following a Faa (Federal Administration Proposal) proposal, Boeing could have to pay a USD 754.000 civil fine. Starting... more

PeopleUs airline industry: crisis affected March as well

Washington, Usa - Revenues fall of a 20,5% in comparison with March 2001

Us air transport sector looses ground in March, registering a revenues 20,5% fall in comparison with the same month of 2001 despite Easter holidays made the load-factor raise of a 3%. According to Brian... more

People3 Colombian airlines create a new alliance

Colombia, South America - Its name is Alianza Summa

Thanks to the agreement signed by three Colombian air carriers, for the first time ever, South America will have its own airline alliance, Alianza Summa. Starting from next May 20th, Avianca, Sam and... more

PeopleKenya government fires striking flight controllers

Nairobi, Kenya

The Kenya government has fired about 300 flight controllers on a total of 500, due to the strike they are performing since two weeks. The controllers walked out two weeks ago over a long running pay and... more

PeopleThomas Cook "flies" low

Berlin, Germany - 10 % cut in offered flights

The second European tour operator, the German group Thomas Cook, announced that it will offer 10% less flights next summer. This measure follows an equal decrease in reservations -compared to last summer-... more

PeopleBritish Airways ceo accused international aviation system

London, Uk - "It's a time warp"

According to Roy Eddington, British Airways chief executive, "our industry is stuck in a time warp of regulation and protectionism, which is very odd for the very industry which makes free trade between... more

PeopleOpodo launched its new French web site

Rome, Italy - After Germany and Uk ones

Opodo, a leading European travel online company, opens in France its third web site. This launch follows Osopo’s successful experience in Germany -4 millions visitors in 4 months- and in UK -2.1 millions i... more

People11 September attacks: Us pilots and experts against Fbi

Washington, Usa - To let UA flight 93 victims' relatives to hear black-box recordings

Many Us pilots and aviation experts showed worries about Fbi decision to allow United Airlines flight 93 victims' relatives to hear black-box recordings. Even though Fbi decision seems to be justified... more

PeopleIndian strike paralyzes aviation

New Delhi, India

A national strike, called by unions in India, has hit heavily the flights in the eastern part of the country. Services from two leading domestic carriers, Indian Airlines and Jet Airways, were badly affected... more